Though I enjoyed Confessions at Midnight, I felt as though I missed something along the way since I want to experience the characters falling in love, not just experience the attraction.

Carolyn Turner, Viscountess Wingate and a widow of three years, has finally decided to reenter Society after the devastating loss of her husband, who was the love of her life. She reenters at a time when the rage is a shocking book of memoirs written by an Anonymous Lady that she and her close circle of friends decide to read and discuss as a group. Needless to say, they are both shocked and intrigued and like other female members of the ton, they long for the same kind of adventures that for Carolyn arise at a masquerade ball.

Daniel Sutton, Earl Surbrooke, has desired Carolyn from the first time that he saw her ten years earlier, when his friend introduced her as his betrothed. He desires her still, but since he is a renowned rake, he wants her only for an affair. Since renewing their acquaintance, he is more determined than ever and a masquerade offers him the opportunity to see how open she may be to flirtation and possibly more. After meeting him at the ball, Carolyn agrees to an affair.

There were many things that I enjoyed about this romance. I found the snippets of the anonymous lady’s journals that began each chapter blush-worthy and humorous – they, and the book itself are quite steamy. The liberation Carolyn’s character experiences once she is more comfortable with the affair is refreshing – she accepts it as an affair but understands the potential for heartbreak is possible. Daniel, though somewhat more the stereotypical Regency rake, is redeemable for the fact that he’s carried this torch for ten years and has never acted upon it. Like Carolyn, he has his own demons to deal with, but he is no angry, brooding hero; he’s actually quite fun.

All that said, though, I also felt that I missed a part of the formation of the relationship. Though many of the interactions between the couple were quite hot, I wondered at what point Carolyn fell in love. With Daniel however, it was more obvious. Also, I just wanted them to talk – which would have solved a problem or two.

I enjoyed Confessions at Midnight and recommend it for a light, yet sensual, read. I appreciate the chance at a second love theme and, despite the book’s problems, it was nicely done here.